Benalmadena booming.Credit: Ayuntamiento de Benalmadena.
Benalmadena council has been told to draft a more sensible financial plan for 2024 and 2025 after breaching spending limits set by law, according to a council auditor’s report.
The council’s 2024 budget saw a 20.26 per cent spending increase, from €85.09 million in 2023 to a whopping €101.43 million, spending way past the 2.6 per cent GDP growth mark. The plan, requiring approval from the regional government and serious oversight by both the Andalusian and national financial authorities, maintains a tight rein on future expenditures.
The spending rules, which were suspended between 2020 and 2023 due to the pandemic, were restarted in 2024, catching the council out somewhat. However, the local government, led by mayor Juan Antonio Lara, has brushed off the reprimand, framing it as a procedural step rather than a call for drastic measures. Instead, they’ve played more to the landmark achievement of a 2024 budget surplus of €4.3 million.
The mayor has been praised for steering Benalmadena into a new golden era – the town not only achieved a surplus but also reduced taxes while boosting investments across council services. The treasury grew from €99 million in June 2023 to €124 million by the end of 2024. Plans have also been announced to clear inherited financial debts, further confirming the town’s fiscal health.
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